Hidden - Devotional by Nancy Wilson

Hidden 8-12-11

“I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.”  (Psalm 119:102-104, NIV 1984)

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Rick’s mom liked to buy things all year long, put them back, and then get everything together at the appropriate time. The problem was that she often forgot where she hid things.  She would look around after everyone had their presents opened and realize that some gifts were missing. She went looking and we usually ended up with an unwrapped gift or two. It sort of became a fun annual tradition to see whose gifts were lost and then found.

Do you have a special hidey-hole for important things you don’t want to lose? We have several. Of course the problem is to remember where those places are located. Rick started a new ministry last year as a hospice chaplain. Before beginning work, he had to gather important documents to prove who he is – one of which was his social security card. When is the last time you had to use yours? These days, it’s not wise to carry it around, so ours are tucked away in a special place. “Where is that special place” you may ask. We also asked that question! We looked high and low. We searched in drawers and files. We peered into obscure places that seemed odd but at the time of hiding may have made sense.  At last, I stood in the dining room looking around, flabbergasted and out of ideas. I said, “Rick, honey, I’m ready to give up. When was the last time you saw it? Hey – maybe it’s in the butter dish!” Chuckling at the ridiculous notion, I opened the china cupboard and lifted the lid of the butter dish. To my utter amazement, there it was!  We spent the next few minutes laughing until the tears streamed down our faces.

Of course, you’re probably wondering, like we did, who placed the card in the butter dish, and better yet, why? I can answer only one of those questions. Rick did the hiding, but neither of us know why he chose the butter dish. Today, both of our cards live in a safety deposit box at our bank along with other important documents.

Hiding things for safe keeping is a prudent habit. Scripture tells us about hiding another type of treasure: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11, NIV 1984)  Memorizing Scripture isn’t something most of us do on a regular basis. Yet, it’s a great way to ready ourselves to handle things that life throws at us.  There is much wisdom in Scripture and God uses the Truth of His Word, to nurture, protect, and encourage us.

“Too busy!” You may say. “Too hard.”  “Why bother? I always have my Bible around.”  There are a lot excuses. Personally, sometimes I find it hard to memorize, but I’m not so sure it’s a matter of ability as a matter of priority.

I see great value in knowing God’s Word. I often come across people who ask questions about Scripture. I also desire to live my life based on God’s principles.  Because of that, knowing what God’s Word says is vital. Reading, studying, and memorizing Scripture helps me in all of those situations.

An eighty-something friend recently told me that she has been working at memorizing her favorite Scripture passage, Psalm 91. It helps her memory, keeps her close to the Lord, and lifts her spirits all at once.

Rick hid the social security card so that when it was needed, it could be used. He did misplace it, but thankfully only temporarily. It was found when required.  The same may be said of Scripture. Hide it in your heart, (read it, meditate on it, memorize it) and when need arises, you will find it to be a very valuable asset.

Nancy Wilson

Bellefonte, PA

nantzjw@yahoo.com